Of all the articles I have written on this blog, the ones that gained the most comments and highest hit count were my personal stories from the IFB, (Independent Fundamental Baptist). Comments came in from both sides, those who have been hurt and those who insist they’re the “best” churches in America. When I survey the content of the messages both these groups convey, it becomes painfully obvious that those hurting hearts are reaching out for answers and their ‘speaking out’ has a purpose. When you’re ministering to wounded people, they need to have their pain validated before you can even begin to ‘stand up for’ the groups who have hurt them.
It’s been interesting to see the battle going on about this highly controversial type of Christianity. When the wounded people speak up, the supporters of the IFB are all too quick to bark and bite at the very people who are already tore up. Yet I have more and more people asking me to write more about what we went through. The most difficult part about this is that we still live in the same small town as the IFB church we left. I still see those people at the stores, the restaurants, and at community events.
And they know about my blogs.
I’m not the only person who got hurt. My husband and all my children were hurt. Other people who left and still live in this town got hurt too. There’s a lot of wounded people in this community because of the things that went on there. Their stories are profound and mind boggling.
We’re accused of lying. Some of us have been accused of “backsliding”, “out of the will of God”, “on a slippery slope”, “on our way to hell”, and “heretics”. Oh the rumors have been flying around too. It’s been about 4 years and some folks still avoid us in public, others act like they don’t know who we are (even though we went there for 15 years), and some act super excited to see us with the last word as, “Call me, you know my number.” Seriously? After being ignored for 4 years, *I’M* supposed to call you?
*shakes head*
Then we get hit by a storm last night. Our carport collapsed….and we get this… “goes to show ya who’s in charge doesn’t it?”
Are you serious?
Why do Christians seem to think that when a home of people who don’t go to your church suffers damage, it’s a curse and when it happens to your pastor it’s a “test of his great faith”?
Give me a break.
Some Christians are some of the most superstitious people in the world.
1 Timothy 1:4 “Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.”
God is not waiting on the side lines of life waiting to strike you with lighting for not going to church or reading your bible.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (NLT)
It’s high time that Christians teach the Gospel, which is GOOD NEWS. Not condemnation.
“Westboro will picket his funeral. He had a huge platform; gave God no glory & taught sin.” ~MarjieJPhelps in regards to Steve Jobs’ funeral.
Are you kidding me?
You see, that is the kind of Christianity that the media wants to direct attention to. But I’d venture to bet that MOST of today’s Christians do NOT agree with nor support the Westboro Baptist Church cult.
So why is there such a feeding frenzy on stories like that?
People obviously see different versions of Jesus, but why?
Titus 1:15 “Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted.”
It’s all in their head, folks.
Psalm 18:26 “with the purified you show yourself pure; and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.” {ESV}
But nonetheless, mean spirited people believe they are correct in what they do. The beautiful thing about God is that he doesn’t expect us to give them any attention.
We have the freedom to ignore them. But when the media keeps giving them attention, we need to speak up and let people know that folks like Westboro and the IFB are NOT representatives of the God in whom we believe in.
I am not intending to tell anyone to go against those people, just speak up louder about who God really is to you!
There’s always going to be church folk who hurt others, it’s because they’re fallible humans like the rest of us. But we don’t have to subject ourselves to their harsh condemnation. We are NOT obligated to lay down and allow abuse to take place. We CAN and SHOULD speak up. Don’t be afraid, you’re not alone!
Sometimes the most loving church is the one in the wilderness. Don’t be afraid to jump from a sinking ship. Walk by faith. He’s always with you.
